In the wake of recent flooding in Iowa, the American Kennel Club® and AKC Companion Animal Recovery have donated much-needed supplies to temporary shelters housing displaced pets and are working closely with area officials to offer assistance and coordinate volunteers.

Reaching out to local AKC club members in the affected areas, AKC and AKC CAR have been able to assess needs and coordinate several shipments of crates, portable kennels, bowls, leashes, collars, harnesses, food, and other supplies that will help volunteers care for the hundreds of companion animals now located at two major temporary shelters - Kirkwood Community College in Cedar Rapids and the Johnson County 4-H Fairgrounds in Iowa City.

The AKC has been working closely with Scot Northern, President of the Cedar Rapids Kennel Association and Mark Shearer, Iowa Department of Agriculture Homeland Security and Veterinary Response Coordinator. Both men are working with the AKC to facilitate the immediate fulfillment of supplies to facilities with needs.

"As people were being evacuated near the river people began to wonder where they were going to take their pets," Northern recounted. "I heard about the shelters being set up and immediately contacted the AKC and AKC CAR, which gladly helped to supply the shelters. I'm also so proud of my club members, many of whom offered to help others in need, even while being evacuated themselves."

"Since last week we have been contacting AKC clubs in the affected areas as well as local disaster officials in order to provide assistance for the benefit of any dog or companion animal displaced by the floods," AKC President Dennis B. Sprung said. "We are able to offer assistance with the help of our friends at Dog.com and Jewett-Cameron and with generous donations from individuals and clubs including theCedar Rapids Kennel Association, New England Dog Training Club and Greater Kingsport (TN) Kennel Club. We are thankful for the outpouring of support."

"AKC and AKC CAR continue our outreach to officers of AKC affiliated clubs, humane society and animal control shelters and other organizations to identify affected and potentially affected disaster areas regarding dogs and their owners," said Tom Sharp, VP and CEO of AKC CAR. "By being proactive before flood waters rise we can let potential temporary shelter coordinators know we are here to help should people and their pets need to be evacuated. This outreach has included the Missouri Humane Society in case flood waters continue to rise."

Should dog clubs, shelters or individuals need disaster assistance or hear of those in need please contact Director of Club Communications Lisa Peterson at lxp@akc.org or 212-696-8360.

The AKC will continue to post frequent updates to our website at www.akc.org.

HOW YOU CAN HELP

Volunteer
Iowa Department of Agriculture Homeland Security and Veterinary Response Team have requested experienced volunteers to help man the area shelters in the coming weeks. People who have previous shelter management or operational experience, or veterans of Hurricane Katrina or other disasters should contact Mark Shearer at 515-281-5798 to volunteer.

Donations
In anticipation of the needs of the canine victims, we are accepting monetary donations. If you wish to make a tax-deductible donation, you may send it to:

The AKC CAR Canine Support and Relief Fund is a permanent charitable fund which provides resources, support and other assistance to not-for-profit animal shelters and similar not-for-profit organizations providing care for domestic animals orphaned or displaced as a result of natural or civil disasters.